%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1365524161084800100%% Please do not replace or remove without starting a new thread.%%[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/SuperMario64 http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_mario_flying_7824.jpg]]]][[caption-width-right:350:[[Film/{{Superman}} You'll believe a plumber can fly.]]]]

[[InASingleBound Super Jumping]] is a common ability in video game worlds, and even the lowliest platforming hero is commonly capable of a DoubleJump, but flight is comparatively much rarer: few video games actually let your character fly freely about the world. From a design standpoint, this makes sense. After all, if your character can fly anywhere, what's to stop them from flying to distant parts of the level and [[SequenceBreaking completely avoiding all the obstacles you planned for them]]? And even worse: How do you keep them from flying off the edges of the level (or world map) without having to rely on {{Invisible Wall}}s?

However, ignoring the obvious [[SimulationGame Flight Simulators]] (and many an aerial dogfighting game), there are still games that let your character fly freely through the wild blue yonder, but for the sake of gameplay and level design they will usually impose one or more of the following limits:* {{Flight}} can only be used in specific levels or areas, or by acquiring a specific item or powerup that is itself found only in specific levels or areas.* Landing/take-off is only possible at certain locations or on certain terrain types.* Or, similarly, {{Gravity Barrier}}s impose clear rules on where the player is and is not allowed to fly. A TruthInTelevision example is the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_ceiling flight ceiling]], a general threshold above which real-life aircraft cannot generate enough lift to maintain safe flight. Though for real aircraft this tends to be much higher than videogames featuring such a limit.* Flight is granted as a [[GlobalAirship late-game ability]]: The fact that you can skip between levels and areas is moot when you have ''already played through them'' just to get there.* The ability to fly itself is hard to acquire or maintain. Perhaps it requires dozens of hours of grinding to unlock, or fuel for aerial vehicles is ridiculously expensive.* The skies are filled with enemies and obstacles, making them just as treacherous as the ground, if not more so. This is especially the case if your character cannot adequately attack or defend themselves in mid-air, or can be easily smacked out of the sky into the nearest [[LavaPit pool of molten lava]] or BottomlessPit.* Or, on the other hand, the skies are empty: There are little to no puzzles, {{Power Up}}s, {{Plot Coupon}}s, or other events that can be accessed from the air, requiring the player to land at the nearest open space and continue the rest of the way on foot. A common limitation of the GlobalAirship.* And that's assuming there ''is'' a sky to take to. Walls and ceilings encroaching on all sides impose obvious limits as to where the player can fly; more NintendoHard games may give the player a whole maze of DeadlyWalls to fly through.* Flight can only be used for limited durations at a time, beyond which the character is out of fuel (another TruthInTelevision), energy, or is otherwise too exhausted to continue flying and must return to the ground to rest or refuel. Or touch the ground for a split second to instantly reset their flight meter, as the case may be.* It is NotQuiteFlight; for example, a winged character who can only glide or make wing-assisted leaps. In practice, this usually involves mechanics similar to a DoubleJump.* Other methods of transportation are actually faster (say, if there were trains and speedboats but you could only fly as fast as you could run).* Unintentional example; When a GoodBadBug enables you to functionally fly, if even for a limited amount of time. The most notable example is rocket jumping, often still a byproduct of even advanced physics engines. Power ups are also usually a culprit, particularly when they are stacked with other power ups creating unintended overlap effects, like infinite ammo and damage reduction enabling more rocket jumping.

----!!Examples:

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[[folder:ActionAdventure]]* ''VideoGame/{{Shantae}}'' grants Shantae a use-anywhere Harpie transformation, but only in the last level. However, the Harpie can't attack without first finding an item, and the skies are full of enemies that swarm you.* ''VideoGame/BeyondGoodAndEvil'' has flight granted as a late-game ability [[spoiler:with the Beluga]].** Allows access to some new areas.** Also allows appreciation of the SceneryPorn from new and better angles.* ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}''** ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight'': True to his vampire heritage, Alucard can fly by transforming into a bat. This slowly uses mana, and you can only attack if you've collected the Fire of Bat powerup. The mist form can also be upgraded to grant infinite, invincible flight, but it uses mana much more quickly than the bat.*** For a slightly rougher, less controllable form of flight that uses less mana, the Super Jump ability can be easily spammed.** In the ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaChroniclesOfSorrow'' games, Soma can also fly by turning into a bat.** ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaPortraitOfRuin'': Charlotte can turn either character into an owl (that can fly, naturally).** ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaOrderOfEcclesia'': Shanoa can get wings. All of these (except Alucard's) are obtained relatively late into the game.* ''VideoGame/DreamsToReality'' lets you fly at any given moment, but doing so drains your energy.* Raziel in the ''VideoGame/LegacyOfKain'' series can glide using the remnants of his ruined wings. In ''Defiance'', Kain can do the same thing, though he can't sustain the glide as long. He can also transform into a swarm of bats to fly long distances, both in ''Defiance'' and in ''Blood Omen'', but this is more of a teleporting ability since a) it can only be activated at certain locations and b) you don't actually control him while he's doing it.* In ''VideoGame/KidIcarus'', Pit can't fly with his normal wings, but uses many items for different variations of video game flight. The Angel Feather is a BottomlessPitRescueService that only last a few seconds in the first game and short last method of quick travel in the second, The Wings Of Icarus from Smash Bros Brawl can be used anytime but still fade in seconds, [[Videogame/KidIcarusUprising Uprising's]] Miracle Of Flight [[RailShooter moves him where it wants]] for up to five minutes, and finally the Wings Of Pegasus pretty much let Pit fly wherever he wants whenever he wants, limiting them to the end game.* ''VideoGame/{{Faxanadu}}'' let the player fly for up to 30 seconds with wing boots equipped. However, a GoodBadBug could extend that time limit.* ''VideoGame/CaptainComic 2: Fractured Reality'' gave you a jetpack with ''severely'' limited fuel. In the very next stage, though, you get the unlimited fuel cell. Naturally, the stage after that began with a very, very long vertical-scrolling stage with no platforms until the very top.* In ''The Caves of Doom'' for the UsefulNotes/ZXSpectrum, you need to use a jetpack to get over any sort of obstacle, but its fuel tank empties quickly. Fortunately, extra fuel is lying around everywhere.* ''VideoGame/SecretsOfRaetikon'' allows the player to swoop freely around the game world, with the flight speed affected by air currents, frequency of dashing/flapping, and height off the ground. There's even an option to freefall as well.* In the Creator/UbiSoft game ''Night Hunter'', Dracula can fly by transforming into a bat, but this drains the flight meter.

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[[folder: Action Game ]]

* ''VideoGame/{{Joust}}'' has unlimited flight (although you have to do the flapping yourself) and it's unlimited within the wraparound confines of one screen.* In ''VideoGame/GodOfWar II'', Kratos acquires the Wings of Icarus, which allow more-or-less unlimited flight in very short intervals.* ''VideoGame/{{Thexder}}'' allowed transforming into flying mode with no restrictions. This is balanced by some claustrophobic level designs, wide open areas filled with ''swarms'' of enemies, and the auto-aiming function restricted to humanoid form. (Hint: ''Don't fly into wide open areas''. '''''EVER!''''')* Many winged characters in the ''VideoGame/{{Skylanders}}'' series can learn to fly. Although they can't really fly high (it's really more hovering above the ground), it does allow them to bypass a number of environmental hazards, as well as making them faster and giving them an evasion boost that allows them to dodge more attacks. * In VideoGame/TheMatrixPathOfNeo you can only have unlimited flight in the last few levels.[[/folder]]

[[folder:FightingGame]]* In the video-game ''Videogame/GodzillaUnleashed'', both King Ghidorah and Mecha-King Ghidorah can fly for short periods of time (So long as their energy doesn't run out).** Battra ([=PS2=] version of the game only) and Mothra have unlimited in their adult forms... though, since both are giant butterflies, yeah....** Megaguirus (A giant mutated dragonfly) has unlimited flight as well.** Both Mechagodzilla 2 and Kiryu can hover for short periods of time thanks to the rocket boosters in their backs.** Rodan has limited flight.** Oddly enough, about the ONLY winged kaiju that cannot fly in the game is Destoroyah.** Spacegodzilla can hover for short periods of time.* Flight is pretty common throughout the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' series: [[VideoGame/KidIcarus Pit]], [[VideoGame/{{Kirby}} Kirby, Meta Knight, Dedede]], [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Charizard, and Jigglypuff]] can fly in the "triple/quadruple/etc. jump" sense, and Pit, Meta Knight, and Charizard are all able to glide in ''Brawl''. The "gets tired after a while" variation occurs with Pit and ROB when they use their Up Special moves, and many more characters can fly as part of their [[LimitBreak Final Smash]] attacks.* Painwheel from ''VideoGame/{{Skullgirls}}'' can use her wheel-blade to fly for short periods of time.* Practically 40% of the cast in ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3'' can fly. At most, they'll only get 3 seconds of flight, and they're left wide open for punishment after it ends, so be wise about using flight. This is also a great tool for zooming across the screen and escaping mixups.[[/folder]]

[[folder:FirstPersonShooter]]* ''VideoGame/DukeNukem3D'' has a JetPack available in most levels, though all can be finished without it. Some secret places can only be accessed with it, and it can make certain areas a bit easier. Naturally, its fuel supply is limited, though still quite reasonable (unless you use the GodMode cheat, which also makes it unlimited). Unlike other powerup examples, you can turn it on and off as desired so long as you have fuel for it. User maps, on the other hand, are much more likely to make its use a requirement to finish the level.* ''VideoGame/{{Heretic}}'' had the Inhilicon's Wings of Wrath powerup, which allowed you to "fly" (actually, move vertically), but only for a limited period of time. Sometimes allowed you to get otherwise unobtainable items. Unlike every other item kept in the inventory, they can not be kept between levels.** The Wings of Wrath also appears in ''VideoGame/{{Hexen}}'', but unlike ''{{Heretic}}'', it has an unlimited duration, and only expires once the player moves on to the next hub. Given that you didn't actually get the Wings until you had actually reached the end of the hub, this generally limited their usefulness to going back and exploring previously unreachable areas to get hidden items.* The flight power in ''VideoGame/CliveBarkersUndying'' only worked outside the mundane world, and only for short periods (as opposed to the two other sorcerers you fight, who are admittedly much more experienced.)* ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'':** In addition to the obligatory vehicular flight combat sequences, in a few levels you can use a Banshee to [[SequenceBreaking skip large sections of the level]] and even find a few {{easter egg}}s. Of specific note is a level in ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'' that has a Banshee on a bridge. An Elite races to it as soon as you step on the bridge, but if you kill him, or otherwise beat him to the Banshee, you can bypass the entire second half of the level.** ''VideoGame/HaloReach'' and ''VideoGame/{{Halo 4}}'' have the rare JetPack Armour Ability, which allows flight for a limited time before needing to be recharged. Usage can become unlimited if the right option is enabled in a Multiplayer/Firefight game, but it's still restricted by [[InvisibleWall level boundaries]].* ''[[VideoGame/Warhammer40000SpaceMarine Space Marine]]'', being a [[TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}} 40k]] game, has the obligatory Assault Marine class and several jump pack levels in the campaign.* ''VideoGame/FarCry3'' early on has paragliders that allow the player to glide over their targets and scout out the region. Unfortunately, they are limited to cliff edges and other high areas. In the second half of the game, the lead dons a glide suit that allows them to jump from any location to do the same.[[/folder]]

[[folder:HackAndSlash]]* In most of the ground missions in both ''VideoGame/{{Drakengard}}'' games, there isn't much stopping you from just hopping on your dragon, flying wherever you need to go, and incinerating everything below you on the way there. Not much, that is, aside from archers, wizards, and enemies who are immune to magic (and, by extension, dragonfire).[[/folder]]

[[folder:MechaGame]]* Build a NEXT correctly in ''[[VideoGame/ArmoredCore Armored Core for Answer]]'' and it could fly indefinitely. Certainly an advantage in gameplay, but most levels take place in a designated "mission area" that if you stray from, you fail the mission.[[/folder]]

[[folder:{{MMORPG}}]]* ''VideoGame/CityOfHeroes'' grants pretty much unrestricted flight. There is an energy cost, but it is negligible. It usually does not become SequenceBreaking as most of the content takes place inside buildings and enclosed environments where the player is unable to avoid notice by enemies without a stealth power. The rare outdoor maps can allow a flying character to skip over troublesome areas and directly access objectives or important enemy groups. However, the benefits of floating around the ceiling when most of your opponents have better melee options than you do are non-negligible.** Blasters ''love'' to take advantage of this in [=PvP=] combat, challenging tankers and scrappers (who only have melee attacks) to arena combat and then floating out of reach. Temporary items allow melee combatants to fly, but invariably slower than the blaster, who just runs away and continues attacking from range. ''Super'' frustrating.* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' allows unlimited flight via flying mounts in [[http://www.wowhead.com/spell=34090 Outland]] from level 60 onward, flight in [[http://www.wowhead.com/spell=54197 Northrend]] at level 68, and flight in [[http://www.wowhead.com/spell=90267 Azeroth]] [[note]]Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor[[/note]] at level 60. These flight licenses require the expansions The Burning Crusade, Wrath of the Lich King, and Cataclysm. There are also 3 different flight speeds, all based on normal running speed: [[http://www.wowhead.com/spell=34090 250%]] (level 60), [[http://www.wowhead.com/spell=34091 380%]] (level 70) and [[http://www.wowhead.com/spell=90265 410%]] (level 80). There are also various items, buffs, and talents that increase speed when mounted, peaking at 492% of normal speed.** The developers will jump on any opportunity to deprive the players of their flight capabilities, however. Most of the expansions did not allow the players to fly in the new areas until they were at or near the current level cap. Many additional areas added by patches do not allow flying, such as the Molten Front or the Isle of Thunder (sometimes they bother with an explanation, sometimes they dont). Dungeons and raids never allow flight (except for specific situations using special mounts). This is particularly annoying for druids, who can otherwise shapeshift into flying creatures at will, but may be forced to suffer fall damage or death because the devs didn't feel like letting people fly in that area.** Azeroth zones didn't allow flight until ''Catacylsm'' in part because the world was plain unfinished in parts and not built around the concept. ''Cataclysm'' gave them the opportunity to revamp everything, but for some reason the zones added in ''The Burning Crusade'', the Blood Elf and Draenei starting zones, were left out. They are even still technically part of Outland, which is particularly puzzling for the Blood Elf zones, accessible only through a portal.** The open world battleground Wintergrasp is particularly weird about this. Between battles, players can fly normally in the entire zone, but during battles flight is disabled. Tol Barad got around that headscratcher by just not allowing flight at all.* ''VideoGame/{{Aion}}'' allows "get tired" flight from level 10, which starts at one minute and can be lengthened through consumables, equipments, and manastones. It's also possible to "glide" (controlled descent that can't be altered into flight without touching the ground first) for about twice as long as maximum flight time. However, once you get to the Abyss, which requires level 25, flight is unlimited. This is good, since the Abyss is made up of a lot of floating islands. Interestingly, physical characters (warriors and scouts) get passive abilities that increase their damage or dodge while flying, while also restricting the ability to fly unless in the Abyss, for PlayerVersusEnvironment balance issues.* ''VideoGame/PerfectWorld'' allows all characters unlimited flight at level 30, [[BribingYourWayToVictory or earlier if one buys certain aerogear from the boutique]]. Additionally, Winged Elves can fly starting at level 1 with a special pair of wings that use a small amount of mana every second of flight... elves that run out of mana will "get tired" and fall from the sky, though unless they land near an aggressive enemy this is less of a problem and more of an incovenience. Said elves can still get the unlimited flight at level 30 (or, as stated above, [[BribingYourWayToVictory earlier from the boutique]]).* ''VideoGame/ChampionsOnline'' allows characters to obtain travel powers including several different forms of flight. There is little restriction (aside from zone boundaries) on where characters can fly.* ''VideoGame/RemnantsOfSkystone'' has three classes, one of which can use a steampunk jetpack to fly indefinitely. The zones all have defined boundaries, being divides into relatively small rooms, and lots of hurty things, be it monsters or spiky terrain - which interrupt flight. As well as steam jets which can't be passed through when midair. Still, in theory, you can fly as much as you want, and from level one.* ''VideoGame/FlyFF'' allows any Lv.20 or higher character to use an item to fly. There are extremely few flying enemies (a grand total of three types, which may or may not have been patched out of the game for now), your only attack is a melee attack (unless you're a magician with a wand; even bow users smack enemies with their bows instead of firing arrows), and there are {{Invisible Wall}}s in the sky in some areas. You can land in most places where it's possible to stand, and you can take off anywhere if you can go 10 seconds without being attacked. Flying, while ostensibly the main gimmick, is mainly used for transportation.* ''VideoGame/DCUniverseOnline'' Has three movement options: Flying, a la Superman, allows the character not only unlimited flight but also hovering powers; Acrobatics has a very long glide, which can be upgraded with a "Rocket Boost", allowing infinite flying (but no hovering); and Superspeed, which... can't even jump very high. There is an invisible ceiling over the city that you cannot pass, which is implied to be a Brainiac Forcefield. * In ''VideoGame/StarTrekOnline'', the Risa summer event features anti-gravity jetpacks that inexplicably only work on the event map on Risa.* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' brought flying mounts to players with the release of ''Heavensward,'' but only in those new zones added by the expansion. Moreover, flying could only be unlocked by attenuating to "aetherial currents" within each zone, located using a compass sensitive to the presence of such currents; other current attenuations were granted by completing both sidequests and main story missions.[[/folder]]

[[folder:PlatformGame]]* Kazooie can fly in the ''VideoGame/BanjoKazooie'' series, but not only needs Red Feathers to do so, but also can only take off from certain flight pads. However, the Bee transformation in both the original game and ''Tooie'' allows for unlimited flight (in specific levels), and in ''Tooie,'' solo-Kazooie can learn to glide in a hard-to-reach point in a late-game area.** Propellers, wings, balloons and jet engines can be gradually unlocked in ''Nuts & Bolts,'' allowing the player to build quite a variety of flying vehicles that are only limited by their fuel and control. Both the HubLevel and a few missions limit your choice of vehicle, and there's plenty of missions where a land or water-based craft is a better choice, though.* In ''VideoGame/CaveStory'' both versions of the [[JetPack Booster]] will allow flight for a very short time. Naturally, the flight time instantly replenishes when you touch the ground. There aren't many places to fly to anyway, considering most of the game is set in a [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin cave]]. The Booster also gets taken away from you in the late midgame, but you get it back after doing a few {{Fetch Quest}}s.* ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry''** In ''VideoGame/DonkeyKongCountry2DiddysKongQuest,'' the Squawks the Parrot transformation allows you to fly, but only in specific levels. However, said levels tend to be labyrinths where [[DeadlyWalls just touching the walls means death]], so be wary.** Diddy in ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong64'' has Rocket Barrels, but they're powered by Crystal Coconuts. Run out, and he'll go plummeting to the ground. Plus there are certain areas which inexplicably forbid flying. Fly into one of these areas and you'll get a "NO" sign with a bizarre, incredibly startling evil laugh and Diddy will come down regardless of his crystal coconuts. All the powerups have these restrictions.* ''VideoGame/DukeNukemII'' has the Flame Thrower, which if fired while crouching can propel you into the air. It's somewhere between a jetpack and rocket jumping, though it does have twice as much ammo as the other limited-ammo weapons.* ''VideoGame/DukeNukemManhattanProject'' has a JetPack powerup in some levels, but its fuel supply is severely limited and it can't be toggled on and off, only used until it runs out or is discarded by the player (which is easy to do accidentally). * ''VideoGame/{{Kirby}}'' is one of the few series that generally let's it's characters fly about freely (except in ''VideoGame/Kirby64TheCrystalShards'', where Kirby gets tired after a while). However, ''Kirby'' game levels are usually designed with flight in mind. Outdoor levels tend to have an invisible ceiling that prevents Kirby from going off the top of the screen and cave and indoor levels place even clearer limits on where Kirby can fly. Additionally, enemies patrol the sky almost as much as the ground and Kirby's only method of attack while puffed up cancels the flight and sends him plummeting back towards earth.* [[SuperMarioBros Mario]] gets a flying cap in ''VideoGame/SuperMario64''. Flying requires some finesse, as well as thoughtful use of Mario's momentum. It also fades after a set time-- try not to be in the air when that happens.** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3'' also has the Raccoon Tail and P-Wing where you had to, with the tail, build up enough speed to take off, then could only fly for a limited time (the P-wing made this infinite, but was [[TooAwesomeToUse a rare item]]).** There's also the cape in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld'', where while Mario had to build up speed and flying was relatively tricky, along with the Blue Yoshi which could fly indefinitely while in special levels or temporarily by holding a shell; it did highlight why most games limit flight... you can just skip three quarters of the levels in the game by flying over the screen.*** ''Super Mario World'' also had a P-balloon item that let Mario float, but at a very slow speed, that would lose effectiveness after a while and dropped him like a rock if he so much as brushes up against anything that could hurt him. [[MutuallyExclusivePowerups Or any powerup.]]*** Culminating in [[ThatOneLevel "Tubular"]], the second stage of the hidden Special Zone, a level built entirely around the use of this powerup to float over a vast BottomlessPit, and easily considered to be the hardest level in the game.** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy'' had the Soar Star/Red Star (A PowerUp that makes Mario fly). Exact control over movement in the air, able to turn on a dime and fly straight upwards... except with one problem. You could only get it in [[HubLevel the Observatory]] (where it was completely useless other than for a 1-up or two) and one challenge in the Gateway Galaxy.*** The Bee Mushroom, meanwhile, allowed for very limited hovering that was barely better than normal jumping, and the Boo Mushroom allowed for unlimited hovering, but was only available in three missions.** ''VideoGame/SuperMarioLand2SixGoldenCoins'' had carrots that gave Mario Rabbit Ears, that allowed him to glide by flapping them, smashing the A button.*** In the Hippo Level, you can fly freely by jumping into a hippo's snot bubble. Doing this lets you fly over the entire level unharmed, and is required to reach the bonus exit. * ''VideoGame/WarioLand'' games had the Puffy Wario and Vampire Wario transformations for unlimited flight, but the former had the obvious limitation of constantly going upwards without any way to get back down (and deflating when Wario hit a ceiling), and the latter, not only couldn't go through doors or pipes, was transformed back by light or water, meaning that most levels with the ability simply put a lot of candles or lights stopping Wario from going off wherever.** ''VideoGame/WarioMasterOfDisguise'' has Wicked Wario. You unlock this form in the second to last stage. It's limited to up and down flight until you get the upgrade for it in the same stage.** The first ''VideoGame/WarioLand'' has the Jet Hat which cancels all vertical movement as you fly in one direction. Because of an [[GoodBadBugs exploit]], [[GameBreaker you can go through certain stages flying most of the time]].* ''VideoGame/SpyroTheDragon'' can glide in every game he appears in, but he usually can't actually ''fly'' except in [[CutscenePowerToTheMax cutscenes]] or mini-games. The exception is ''The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon,'' where he can fly all he likes, whenever, wherever. Well, save being [[ChainedHeat chained to Cynder]], and save for climbing puzzles with wind currents that keep Spyro's flight from letting you bypass them...** The other major exception in the original trilogy is the Speedway levels, where Spyro can fly indefinitely (but not leave the island). A lesser exception is the final unlockable level in the first game, ''Gnasty's Loot'', where the player can fly indefinitely, but can only fly as high as the player has previously ascended on-foot in the level.** There are also [[PowerUp powerups]] in some levels that will let Spyro fly until they run out.* ''VideoGame/{{Vexx}}'' has a hand-glider powerup, but it can only be used at specific spots (which are rather rare), and it only lasts for a short period of time.* Helium in ''GliderPRO'' lets you fly upward without VentPhysics, but it tends to run out quickly (especially if you don't find multiple canisters), and goes away instantly if you fly over a microwave or [[MutuallyExclusivePowerups touch a battery]]. Of course, gliding is as basic to the game as running is to most platformers.* Tails, and later Cream, in the ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' series use the 'get tired' version. Knuckles has gliding combined with climbing, which allows him to get to some pretty interesting places but also allows the level designers to box him in with overhanging ledges.** In ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'', the 'tired' variation happens again with the appropriately named 'Flight' Characters, but if you remain in flight but stop moving forward, the characters can remain airborne forever.* ''Franchise/RatchetAndClank'' has multiple examples:** ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando''*** After finding the Momentum Glider on Tabora, you can take off from certain areas and glide through to areas you couldn't get to before.*** The Levitator gadget allows you to fly as long as your (quick to deplete) fuel supply lasts. Fuel can only be filled at specific pads which aren't available anywhere other than areas where the gadget is required.** ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureToolsOfDestruction'' has the Robo-Wings that allow Ratchet and Clank to fly around anywhere as long as they can find a launch pad to take off from.** The [=GrummelNet=] Jetpack in ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankIntoTheNexus'' and ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2016'' functions like a better version of the Levitator. The fuel capacity is much better, allowing for longer flights before refueling, and you can also use your weapons to engage in dogfights at any time.* ''VideoGame/{{Mega Man|Classic}}'' has many ways of flight. The most used one is riding on top of Item 2/Rush. Rush and Treble can be fused with in ''[[VideoGame/MegaMan6 6]]/[[VideoGame/MegaMan7 7]]'' and ''VideoGame/MegaManAndBass'' respectively to gain the ability of flight.** ''VideoGame/MegaManX 5'' has the Falcon Armor, giving X a "tired" version of free-form movement. ''X7'' has the Glide Armor for X.* ''VideoGame/TheSmurfs1994'' had one level (not counting the bonus stage) where the player character could fly... in a soap bubble. And the level was a [[DeadlyWalls rosebush labyrinth]].* In ''VideoGame/{{Metroid}}'', gaining the Space Jump meant you could effectively fly, but it's gained late in the game and it takes a while to master; by the time you gain the powerup that lets you chain one jump into another just by holding down the Jump button, you're already just about knocking on Mother Brain's door.* ''VideoGame/{{Rayman 2}}'' upgraded the parachute-like effect of Rayman's helicopter hair to actual flight in one (rather well enclosed) level, and then took it away at the very next level.** The [[VideoGameRemake remake]] ''Rayman 2 Revolution'' allowed you to keep the ability outside the level, but only over lava. It's also used in a new boss battle.** The first ''VideoGame/{{Rayman}}'' game gave you the same power-up, again only for one level (and a few other limited areas).* Scorch the dragon from ''VideoGame/TheLostVikings 2'' is able to glide and [[DoubleJump quadruple jump]].* Firebrand of the ''VideoGame/GargoylesQuest'' series of games started out with limited flight capability in the first two games. He had a "wing meter" that would rapidly deplete when flying, though near the end after acquiring upgrades he could fly infinitely, but could not actually gain altitude: you were limited to how high you could jump, and you essentially still had to climb by clinging to the walls and jumping up, but long jumps over pits were no longer a problem. ''Demon's Crest'' averts the limit, though, with Firebrand starting out with the ability to hover and fly infinitely, and the Air Crest would allow him to fly against strong wings and fly upwards.* ''VideoGame/JettRocket'' has a jetpack which serves as one of his most important means of locomotion. It's really more [[NotQuiteFlight hovering than flying]], but it's necessary for getting to some more out-of-the-way areas. Just make sure to refuel often.* ''VideoGame/{{Spelunky}}'' has the rare cape, which allows gliding, and the even rarer jetpack, which allows true flight, limited only by fuel which refills completely upon landing. However, it all takes place underground, so it isn't that helpful for avoiding obstacles anyway.* ''VideoGame/{{Karnov}}'' has a Wings power-up, but it is only used in one level.* In ''VideoGame/TheQuestOfKi'', Ki's floaty JumpPhysics are almost but NotQuiteFlight, but several stages give her a powerup that lets her really fly around. The levels do tend to be closed in, though.* ''VideoGame/BlasterMaster'' gives your tank Sophia the [[HoverTank ability to fly]] only after you defeat the third boss and gain Hover Mechanics, and even then it's limited by a meter.* In ''VideoGame/KickMaster'', you can fly once you get the Harpy Wings magic, but it consumes MP rather quickly.* In ''VideoGame/LittleNemoTheDreamMaster'', there are places where Nemo can get a bee to fly him around the level. The main limit to the bee's flying power is that it can't fly too long without touching ground.* Conker can fly in ''VideoGame/ConkersBadFurDay'', but gets tired ''very'' quickly and only flies ''up'' a little bit when he starts flying.* In ''VideoGame/LittleSamson'', Kikira the dragon can fly, but only for a few seconds at a time.* This is possible in ''VideoGame/Jak3Wastelander'' by exploiting [[GoodBadBugs a glitch]]. Unlock infinite Light Jak with enough precursor orbs, then use Light Flight and alternate the flapping of Jak's wings with Light Shield. * In ''VideoGame/{{Jetpack}}'', you can use the JetPack to fly, but you have to find fuel for it. Some levels contain no fuel at all.* ''VideoGame/AHatInTime'' has rockets/firecrackers you can use to fly around. Most of them run out of fuel relatively fast, preventing you from going too far in them, but there is at least one long-lasting version you can use as part of a RacingMinigame. * Two of the vehicles in ''VideoGame/RocketRobotOnWheels'' allow you to fly. The first, the [=ShagFlyer=], is available in the fourth level, [[BubblyClouds Arabian Flights.]] As the level name suggests, it's actually necessary for getting around in the level, as it's composed of various islands floating high up in the sky. The second, the Glider Bike, is available in the fifth level, Pyramid Scheme. [[NotQuiteFlight Although it only really lets you glide,]] skillful gliding and dipping is necessary to reach some of the areas in the level, as well as complete some of the challenges. * In Creator/{{Jaleco}}'s ''Psychic 5'', all five player characters can hover, but free flight is only possible for a limited time after picking up the FlyingBroomstick.* In ''VideoGame/TheSacredArmourOfAntiriad'', flight requires having both the titular PoweredArmor and the anti-gravity boots. These allow you to fly indefinitely for most of the rest of the game, except that a few areas are protected by barriers that you can't get past without exiting the suit.* ''VideoGame/RogueLegacy'' features the sky runes which your characters can equip to fly for a limited amount of time (that can be increased by wearing more of them).* In ''Madō King Granzört'' for the [[UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 SuperGrafx]], one of the three player mecha, Winzart, is capable of flying, but this drains MP rather rapidly.* In ''VideoGame/FreezeME,'' after you beat [[BigBad Fat the Cat]] [[DiscOneFinalBoss for the first time,]] you gain the ability to go into "Rage Mode" as long as your health is full. In Rage Mode, you can fly any time you like; though it's hard to fly higher than you start from due to your momentum being tricky, you can use it to glide and high-jump very effectively. * In ''Rolo to the Rescue'', obtaining a helium canister will inflate Rolo, making him capable of floating freely.[[/folder]]

[[folder:RolePlayingGame]]* ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVIII'': ** The party gains the ability to transform into a bird in the last act of the game. The ability is plot-critical for a single event, but is primarily used to avoid monster encounters on the world map. It also allows the party to reach areas which are otherwise inaccessible. * ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'':** Sora gets a glide-type flying power late in the first ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts'', which becomes full flight in a few areas.** Same deal with Roxas in ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHearts358DaysOver2 358/2 Days]].''* In the ''VideoGame/XMenLegends'' games, many characters can gain the ability to fly, but it has an energy cost. This cost decreases as you put more points into the skill. I'm not 100% sure offhand, but I think it actually is possible to get to the point where the cost is low enough, and your max energy and energy regeneration rate are high enough, that your energy actually regenerates faster than flight decreases it.* ''VideoGame/MarvelUltimateAlliance'' allows some characters to fly instead of double-jump, though this comes with arguably limited use - you can't recharge your energy in the air, can really only use range attacks, and are blocked by the same invisible walls that inhibit everyone else. But that doesn't mean it's [[RuleOfCool not neat to use]]. Its main advantage is that a flying character is notably faster than a walking one. This, added with the fact that your other party members just teleport to you when they fall too far back, means it's really useful for backtracking.* ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind'' has a fairly straight example with the Levitate spells. The enemy AI can't figure out how to attack someone up in the air (OK, the AI also can't figure out what to do if you're on top of a table or boulder either...) and several obstacles become trivial to circumvent.* ''VideoGame/FreedomForce'' has flight (or levitation, which was half-speed flight) for several characters, but almost every enemy had a ranged attack (frequently attacks with {{knockback}} that would result in you taking FallingDamage as well) and your energy regenerated slowly or not at all while in-flight. And there were still the occasional floor-to-ceiling barriers. Ironically, Bullet's alter ego is an Air Force pilot, yet his powers don't include flight.* ''VideoGame/ValkyrieProfile'' has an odd version in the first game - your character can fly around the entire worldmap from the get-go (she's a Valkyrie), but has to travel on foot when in dungeons and towns. Your ally Freya can fly wherever she pleases, though.** Towns are easily explained, since she doesn't [[JustifiedTrope want to give away her real identity to regular people.]] This doesn't explain dungeons, though, since it would make a lot of puzzles much, MUCH easier.* In ''VideoGame/DragonSlayer'', the spell that lets you fly around the dungeon is the very last new ability you can acquire. It only works for a limited time, but there's no restriction on repeated use other than your supply of magical potions.* This is available in many ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' games, after you've found the HM item that will allow it, taught it to a Pokémon, and earned the gym badge that will allow you to use Fly outside of battle. However, you can only fly to cities you've already visited, and it can't be used while you're in an enclosed space like a building, cave, or particularly dense forest. You can fly out of the middle of a route and similar places, but until the remakes of ''Videogame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'' you couldn't land in them, you'd always land in the city, outside the Pokémon Center. Starting in those games, it is possible to land in a route.* In ''VideoGame/ChildOfLight'', Aurora becomes able to fly around freely in all directions once she obtains her wings. Although this is an early-game ability, most of the dungeons and areas allow the player to make full use of it.* In ''VideoGame/DragonBallZTheLegacyOfGoku'', Goku can fly to cross water and avoid enemies, but this uses up rare Flight Charges that are capped by level.* In ''VideoGame/{{Terranigma}}'', once you obtain an airplane, you can land it only where airfields have been built.[[/folder]]

[[folder:ShootEmUp]]* ''VideoGame/AdventuresOfDinoRiki'' is a ground-based ShootEmUp where ordinarily Dino-Riki has to do a bit of jumping around to avoid [[SuperDrowningSkills falling into water]], but he can fly if he gets the "Bird" powerup, which puts a pair of wings on his back.* ''VideoGame/AtomicRoboKid'' has one of the oddest uses of this trope. You start out flightless, but get unlimited flight after grabbing a powerup in the first few seconds of gameplay. Of course, most of the levels consist of tight corridors packed with RespawningEnemies. Averted in ''Atomic Robo-Kid Special'', where you can just fly from the start.[[/folder]]

[[folder:WideOpenSandbox]]* Oddly, ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAuto: [[VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoSanAndreas San Andreas]]'' has flight as a later-game ability, with the requirement being 'learn how'. Not many limitations, aside from two logical ones: avoid buildings, and avoid no-fly zones. Of course, not many [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential targets]] when you get too high.** It's not naturally a late game ability, you can climb over the airport fence and steal a plane at any time. It's just that if you don't have a pilot's licence, military jets will come and shoot you down.** Even later in the game, you get a jetpack (''[[IWantMyJetpack finally!]]'')* ''VideoGame/{{Prototype}}'' allows you to eventually fly a military helicopter; something of a GameBreaker, but you aren't allowed to learn it until fairly late in the game.** The Glide and Air Dash abilities establish the typical short-term flight, where the player must periodically touch the ground or a wall to continue.* ''VideoGame/{{Spore}}'''s Creature stage has this, but limits it with both the "gliding" and "everything important is on the ground" varieties.* ''VideoGame/{{Crackdown}} 2'' has a "wingsuit" that unlocks with agility level 5 that allows you to glide for extended periods of time -- if you know how. Instead of instructing you, the Voice of the Agency just sarcastically comments that it's difficult and that you should practice... [[AnnoyingVideoGameHelper nearly every time you use the ability]].** Also at agility level 5, you can reach a helipad at the agency headquarters from which you can fetch a helicopter for much easier flight. The helicopters are also armed, but aren't much good for serious combat as they tend to explode at the slightest provocation.* A staple in the ''VideoGame/SaintsRow'' series, although mostly using vehicles in the pre-''IV'' era:** ''VideoGame/SaintsRow2'' has unlimited flight, and no map edges to contain movement. It's not possible to access most of the missions, side jobs, and collection quests with it, so it's only practical (and awesome) for wide-open wandering or traveling to specific points. A perk can be achieved which negates falling damage, making it a little more practical (and a lot more awesome).** ''VideoGame/SaintsRowTheThird'' has more flight and earlier on; however, it's limited by the fact that while you can park cars in multiple garages, places you can park your helicopters are rare and there's only one place to park fixed-wing airplanes. Later in the game, you get access to VTOL aircraft that can be parked on helipads and allows for both types of flight.** ''VideoGame/SaintsRowIV'', meanwhile, introduces superpowers, one of them being a superjump and glide ala ''Prototype''. You can upgrade it fully for three air-dash glides at an exceedingly slow descent for no stamina cost and clear easily a quarter of the game world before hitting the ground. You can also summon vehicles, including aircraft, from the menu at any time. But with full upgrades to super speed, running (with occasional jump to clear buildings) is the fastest way to travel.** ''VideoGame/SaintsRowGatOutOfHell'' takes this trope to its logical limit by giving Gat and Kinzie the ability to fly under their own power by means of burning wings.* ''Film/SupermanReturns'': ''[[LicensedGame The Game]]'' gives you Supersonic Flight as well as eighty-plus miles of city space to fly around in.* In ''[[VideoGame/HarryPotter Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]'', you can use Buckbeak to fly pretty much anywhere in the game world, and pretty early on too. The only limitation is that you can't leave the Hogwarts grounds, but you can't do that on foot either.** In ''The Chamber of Secrets'', you can do essentially the same but with the broom. Allows you to fly around the Hogwarts grounds, but you can't land anywhere and it's not really useful for anything. It's also not available until you've practically beaten the game.* ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' allows the player to fly around freely, but only in Creative Mode, by double tapping the jump button. Interestingly, vertical movement is limited to the jump (fly upwards) and sneak (fly downwards) buttons, and touching the ground cancels out the flight.[[/folder]]----